Best Outdoor Griddle 2026: Top Flat Top Picks for Your Backyard

From smash burgers to weekend breakfasts, the flat top trend is here to stay. Here are the griddles worth your money.

I bought my first flat top griddle four years ago on a whim and I have used it more than my gas grill ever since. That surprised me. I thought it would be a novelty. It became the centerpiece of every cookout.

The flat top surface changes how you cook outdoors. You get direct contact heat across the whole surface, nothing falls through the grates, and cleanup is actually simple once you know what you are doing. After cooking on six different models and helping two of my neighbors choose their first griddles, here are the picks that hold up in real use.

Top pick: Blackstone Original 36" 4-Burner at around $297.

bbq grill backyard

Are outdoor griddles worth it?

Yes, if you cook for more than two people. The flat top surface excels at things a grill cannot do well: eggs, pancakes, smash burgers, fried rice, quesadillas, and anything with a sauce. You can run a full breakfast for eight people at once on a 36-inch model. That is not something I could do on my grill.

The learning curve is real. Griddles need seasoning before first use, they require some oil to prevent sticking, and you need to clean them while they are still warm. Once you build those habits, the cooking gets easier every session.

If you mostly grill chicken thighs and steaks, stick with a regular grill. But if you entertain regularly or want more versatility, a flat top griddle is worth every dollar.

What is the best outdoor griddle overall in 2026?

Blackstone Original 36" 4-Burner Griddle: around $297

The Blackstone 36-inch is the standard everyone else is measured against. Four independent heat zones across 720 square inches of rolled steel cooking surface. I can run one corner at low heat for eggs while the rest of the surface runs high for smash burgers. That kind of temperature control makes it genuinely useful for multi-item cooking.

The cold-rolled steel surface seasons beautifully after a few cooks. Cleanup takes about five minutes with a scraper and some paper towels while the surface is still warm. Fold-down side shelves and a bottom cabinet keep accessories organized.

At around $297 at Walmart and Home Depot, the value is hard to argue with. This is where I would tell most people to start.

What is the best premium flat top griddle?

Camp Chef Flat Top 600: around $599

The Camp Chef Flat Top 600 is what you upgrade to when you want more durability and better heat control. Four independently controlled burners produce 60,000 BTUs across a 604-square-inch cold-rolled steel surface. The surface is thicker than the Blackstone, which translates to more even heat and less hot-spotting at the center zones.

Camp Chef built in a grease management system that channels drippings into a side cup rather than a drip tray underneath. Less mess, easier cleanup. The legs are adjustable, which matters if you are setting this up on a patio that is not perfectly level.

The $599 price is real money, but the build quality justifies it. I have seen Camp Chef griddles run for five-plus years without any warping or rust issues when cared for properly.

What about Weber’s flat top griddle?

Weber Slate 30" Rust-Resistant Griddle: around $699

Weber entered the griddle market later than Blackstone but came in with a serious product. The Slate uses a pre-seasoned carbon steel surface that is rust-resistant out of the box, which addresses the biggest complaint people have about flat top maintenance.

Three burners on the 30-inch model produce 30,000 BTUs. The surface is pre-seasoned, so you can cook on it right away without a lengthy seasoning session. Weber built a fold-out side table and a lower shelf for propane storage into the design.

The trade-off is price and cooking surface. At $699 for the 30-inch model, you are paying a premium for the Weber name and the rust-resistance. If you live in a humid climate or you know you will not be diligent about covering your griddle, the Slate earns that premium.

What is the best budget outdoor griddle?

Royal Gourmet PD4001 36" 4-Burner Griddle: around $200

If the Blackstone is out of your budget right now, the Royal Gourmet PD4001 does the job at a lower price point. Four burners, 36-inch cold-rolled steel surface, 60,000 BTUs. The build quality is lighter than the Blackstone, and the steel is thinner, which means you will notice more hot spots at high heat.

For occasional use and a tighter budget, it is a reasonable starting point. I would still recommend saving for the Blackstone if you can. The difference in durability is noticeable after the first season.

Blackstone vs Weber: which flat top griddle is better?

It depends on what you value. Blackstone wins on value and cooking surface size. The 36-inch model gives you more room and costs less. Weber wins on rust resistance and out-of-the-box convenience. If you live somewhere wet or you will leave your griddle outside year-round, the Slate is the smarter long-term investment.

Both are quality products. Most backyard cooks will be happy with the Blackstone. People who want a low-maintenance, long-term griddle should look hard at the Weber Slate.

How do you season a flat top griddle?

New griddles except the Weber Slate need to be seasoned before first use. The process takes about 45 minutes and you only do it once to establish the base layer.

Heat the griddle on high until it starts to discolor. Apply a thin layer of oil (flaxseed, vegetable, or canola work well), rub it across the surface with a paper towel held in tongs, and let it smoke off completely. Repeat four or five times. The surface will turn dark and develop a non-stick quality.

After that, you just maintain it by wiping with oil after each cook. It gets better the more you use it.

What accessories do I actually need?

A long-handled griddle spatula is essential. Get one that is at least 18 inches so your hands stay away from the heat. A bench scraper for cleaning, a squeeze bottle for oil or water, and a dome lid for melting cheese and steaming vegetables are the three things I reach for at every cook.

I covered the full set of must-have tools in my post on the best grilling tool sets if you want a complete rundown.

FAQ

Q: Can you use a flat top griddle as a regular grill? A: Not directly. Griddles do not produce grill marks and you cannot get the same smoke infusion you get from an open grate. Some people use a griddle and a grill side by side for different foods.

Q: Do flat top griddles use more propane than regular grills? A: A 4-burner 60,000 BTU griddle uses a similar amount of propane as a comparable gas grill when all burners are running. In practice, you often use fewer burners, so consumption is comparable.

Q: How do I keep my griddle from rusting? A: Season it well, clean it after every cook while it is still warm, apply a thin layer of oil before it cools, and cover it when not in use. The Weber Slate has rust-resistant coating built in.

Q: Can I cook for a large crowd on a 36-inch griddle? A: Yes. I have cooked for 20 people on a 36-inch Blackstone. Smash burgers are the best example: I can run 8 to 10 patties at once, and because the cooking time is fast, the line moves quickly.

The bottom line

The Blackstone Original 36" 4-Burner is the right call for most people. At $297, it gives you the most cooking surface per dollar and a proven track record. If you want something lower maintenance or more durable long-term, the Weber Slate at $699 is worth considering. The Camp Chef Flat Top 600 sits in the middle and earns its higher price with better build quality and heat consistency.

A flat top griddle changed how I cook outdoors more than any other single purchase. If you are on the fence, start with the Blackstone and give it three or four cooks before you judge it.